Means for controlling the cooling capacity of radiators



Sept. 17, 1929. c. M. DOWIVELL MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE COOLINGCAPACITY OF RADIATORS Filed March 26, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 727572 2%).-(ites fer/'Zfia are I I, y W3 i Sept. 17, 1929. c. M. DOWELL MEANS FORCONTROLLING THE COOLING CAPACITY OF RADIATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 26, 1924 Patented Sept. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECHESTER M. DOWELL, OF HUNTINGBURG, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO HERBERT R.LEWIS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE COOLING CAPACITYOF RADIATORS Application filed March 26, 1924. Serial No. 701,995.

This invention relates tomeans for controlling the cooling capacity of aradiator whereby the temperature of the cooling water for an internalcombustion engine may be maintained at a predetermined degree, and alsorelates to an improved means for adjustably controlling the temperature.The invention in its broader aspects, is a continuation of myapplication Serial No. 159,496.

In the drawings in which I have illustrated an improved form for adjustably controlling the cooling capacity of a radiator, Fig. 1 is adiagrammatic side elevational view showing my invention applied to anautomobile engine.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section through thecontrol mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentarysectional view showing the control mechanism in one position ofadjustment.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the mechanism in a differentposition of adjustment.-

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of part of the thermostatic valvemechanism.

Describing in detail the particular construction shown in the drawings,10 designates the radiator of an internal combustion engine, and in theparticular form shown, is an internal combustion engine for automobiles.The radiator at its upper end is connected by a pipe 11 with the waterspace surrounding the cylinders of the engine 12. This water space orwater jacket of the engine is also connected by a return pipe 13 withthe" lower end of the radiator 10, these parts being of the ordinaryconstruction commonly I used with multiple cylinder internal combustionengines of automobiles of the water cooled type. t

In the water pipe connection 11, there is inserted in the usual hoseconnection, a casting 14 which has a passageway 15 through whichthewater flows. This passageway is controlled by a butterfly valve 16operated by rock arm 17. The latter is connected to a piston rod 18. Thepiston rod extends into a cylinder 19, and connects with the piston 20operatingtherein. spring 21 normally tends to hold the piston toward theleft, and thus hold the butterfly valve 16 closed so as to prevent thewater from the engine circulating to the radiator. In this manner, thecooling effectof the radiator on the cooling Water of the engineiscontrolled. As soon however, as the engine reaches a predeterminedtemperature it is desirable that the Water in the jacket surrounding thecylinder block of the engine shall be permittedto flow through theradiator and be cooled by the air passing through the radiator. For thispurpose, the cylinder 19 is provided with a flexible connection 22leading into a chamber 23. This chamber has another lead '65 24 runningto the intake manifold 25 of the engine. The port 26 between the chamber23 and the lead pipe 24 is controlled by slide valve 27, normally springpressed to its seat. The latter is carried by suitable thermostatic bar28. At normal temperature, this bar is in the position shown in Fig. 5,so that the port 26 is shut ofi by the valve 27. When however, theengine reaches a predetermined temperature, the bar 28 will be warped.This is caused by the heat of the engine being transmitted through thecooling water and the casting 14, to the thermostatic bar 28. Thiswarping of the thermostatic bar 28 will slide the valve 27 to theposition shown in Fig. 4, uncovering the port 26, and if the engine isrunning, the suction from the intake manfold will be transmitted to thecylinder 19, and this will draw the piston 20 to the rightand throughthe piston rod 18 and rock arm 17 will open the butterfly Valve so thatthe water can freely circulate -through the radiator.

Inthe construction illustrated, the circulating of the water is producedby thermosiphon effect so that whenever the butterfly valve 16 is rockedto its open position, the water of the cooling system will be circulatedthrough the radiator 10 and its cooling effect on the engine temperaturewill thereby be 95 increased.

In order that the operator may select the temperature at which he wishesthe butterfly valve 16 to be opened, and the increased cooling effect ofthe radiator brought into oper- 10 ation, I have provided an adjustmentmechanism. In detail, this comprises a movable bar or support 29 whichcarries one end of the thermostatic bar 28. The bar 29 can he slid tothe left or right of the position shown in Fig. 4, by turning theadjusting screw 30. The bar 29 is positioned between a pair of washers31 located between cotter pins 32 extending through the adjusting screw30. Therefore, when the screw is tightened up, it .will shift the bar 29toward the left so as to require a higher temperature to open the valve26. If however, the set screw isadjusted outwardly from the positionshown in Fig. 4, it will decrease the temperature necessary to open thevalve 26.

In order to prevent binding of the rock arm 17 and the piston rod 18when the piston 20 is drawn toward the right, the cylinder 19 ispivotally connected to the casting 14 at 33. The box 34 which forms thechamber 23 enclosing the thermostat and valve, is preferably formedintegral with the casting 14, but has a cover plate 35 which is clampedin position 4 by the set screw 36 so as to form an air-tight chamber.

When theengine is stopped, and the effect between said cylinder and theintake manifold, a thermostatic bar located in said chamber and adaptedto actuate said second-named valve, and adjusting means for saidthermostatic bar to variably control the temperature at which saidsecond-named valve will be operated. v

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a watercooling system including a water jacket for the engine cylinders and aradiator connected to said water jacket, of a valve for controlling thevolume of water passing from the water jacket to the radiator, a pistonfor operating said valve, a cylinder receiving said piston, a connectionbetween said cylinder and the engine intake manifold having a chamber, avalve in said chamber adapted to control communication between saidcylinder and the intake manifold, a thermostatic bar located in saidchamber and adapted to actuate said second-named valve, a supportingmember for said thermostatic bar, andmeans for adjusting said supportingmember so as to variably control the temperature at which saidsecond-named valve will be operated.

CHESTER M. DOWELL.

of the suction on the piston ceases, the spring will automatically rockthe valve 16 to its closed position.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a watercooling system therefor, including a water jacket surrounding the enginecylinders and a radiator connected to said water jacket, of a valve forcontrolling the volume of water passing from the water jacket to theradiator, a piston for rocking said valve, a pivoted cylinder in whichsaid piston is mounted, a connection between said cylinder and theintake manifold of the engine, an air-tight chamber located insaidconnection, a slide valve located in said chamber and adapted to controlcommunication between said cylinder and the intake of the engine, athermostatic bar located in said chamber and adapted to operate saidvalve, 9.

supporting bar carrying said thermostatic bar, and means for variablyadj ustingthe supporting bar to shift the supporting end of saidthermostatic bar so as to variably control the temperature at which saidvalve opens communication between the cylinder and the intake of theengine.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a watercooling system including a water jacket for the engine cylinders and aradiator connected to said water jacket, of a valve for controlling thevolume of water passing from the water jacket to the radiator, a pistonfor operating said valve, a cylinder receiving said iston, a connectionbetween said cylinder and the engine intake manifold having a chamber, avalve in said chamber adapted to Control communication

